Don't ever change yourself to impress someone, cause they should be impressed that you don't change to please others — When you are going through something hard and wonder where God is, always remember that the teacher is always quiet during a test — Unknown

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On April 24, 1915 the Turkish Government and the Ottoman empire committed a terrible criminal act against humanity, tried to wipe out a whole race and culture. They killed 1.5 Million Armenians, stole our precious landmarks, churches, lands, Mount Ararat, pulled the rug right under us. The blood, flesh, bones, decapitation, tears, fears, displacing people from their homes, families, with Armenians changing their Armenian names to something Turkish so that they will not be targeted and where they will feel protected from harms way. The Turkish Government still denies and lies about ever committing Genocide against the Armenians and also still fails to recognize.

We will prevail, Justice is timeless.

This is why it is imperative to spread Genocide awareness as much as we can so that history will never repeat itself again.

In 2015, we commemorated the centennial. 100 years have gone by and this year in 2016 is the 101st. After 100 years, we will still continue to spread Genocide prevention.

Recognize, Acknowledge, Awareness, Educate, Prevent.

Those are the key components to Genocide prevention.

Not just for the Armenians, but all those in the world who have had to unfortunately, deal with Genocide in other cultures, races.

We received a lot of Global recognition last year which was incredible with all the coverage, letting people know about us, being put on the map, and addressing this very important subject.

Let us utilize the same energy we had during the Armenian Genocide 100th Centennial in 2015 and bring that same drive into 2016, to be big in numbers once again during peace demonstrations, marches, vigils, and so much more.

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Long gone are the days where simplicity, enjoyment, living life at the fullest extent, enjoying and experiencing life without the use of smartphones, tablet screens and so many more. Are we really missing out on life’s experiences? Everything in life has its limitations, and in today’s society, people tend to go overboard with posting everything and anything they see. They are not really experiencing life, they are merely trying to capture anything and everything to share on social media networks, capture photos and share them on photo sharing sites.

Long gone are the days where people used to go to concerts and shows where everyone’s eyes and attention was looking at the stage without wanding lights coming from smartphones and tablets. Now with thousands of people capturing moments with their devices, these concerts and these special events in a person’s life is being video taped by the videographer’s of the concert, venue, and even when people witness a wedding or a reception.

I understand that you want to keep your personal memories too, of which taking pictures and everything and that is fine, but always wanding a device isn’t really the same as actually witnessing something happen before your eyes. Some moments are meant to be lived without screens, and where down the road you can remember it in your mind, and the good times to remind yourself and those who you lived those memories with.

I mean yes, special and beautiful events such as babies when they are born, their actions, and everything else need to be documented and everything, and there are moments in a person’s life that should be kept private and not for the world to see. Do not worry if you tell someone what your child did, or said that they will not believe you. They will. You do not need to always have proof or a video of something.

You really do not have to be in competition with the world and join a popularity contest because you want to be the first ones to capture something and put so many hashtags, and post something for the sake of posting something. It should never be that way.

People have the perception that if they do not capture, video, then post it on social media, the internet, tweet about it, that some people think that they are lying without providing proof that things actually did occur. I think that everything has its limits and not everything should be published online. Some things should be kept a secret, things should be kept private. Unfortunately, privacy is non-existent in today’s world because of these devices.

When people travel and explore the world, people will always have that force of habit to document every moment with screens, but the world has become smaller and people are more familiar with everything because people do research and look up videos and get more curious to find things out all the time, but the important thing to remember is that it is not fair to capture something, and then the soon to be traveler going to that place will see what it is all about and then that person or person’s will not be surprised anymore. It will all be spoiled for them

Some things are meant to be left unsaid, some things are meant to be explored without having people always telling others about something. People need to experience and form their own opinions.

I am all for and support smartphones, video, cameras, tablets and other devices, and I have them as well, but there is a limit and a lot of people now have crossed that limit. Screens have become addicting and it is so on the rise, that some people cannot go 5 minutes without looking at their phone. They bring it with them to bed, they check messages before bed, waking up, during meals, at work, during cooking meals, tending to their families, even while driving. Nobody should have their phones or other devices while driving. That is not only dangerous but very ridiculous.

In the past before all these devices came out, how do you think people passed their time? There was twice as much homework to do after school for the students, school times were longer, there was no use of devices, people had to make their own games and toys to physically play with, not one of those gaming consoles, people were outside playing, enjoying the true essence of life, more love, respect and family time, people didn’t have the luxury of instantly finding information, where they had to jet off to the library to find books, encyclopedia’s without the use of the internet or software.

With all that being said, people need to put their screens down and look up to enjoy life more, to witness things, to observe, and to capture the beauty of the world with your eyes. Not with screens. They shouldn’t be your eyes. Be more social, talk, take a pen and physically write without the use of keyboards and keypads.

Think about it. Experience life, put down your device and do it right now.

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In life, one of the most incredible experiences is travel. I believe that when you travel to see the world, different lifestyles, realities, different people, places is something that is such a great thing. You become more aware, educated, informed and get in touch with your personal self to get a better understanding than what you hear in the media and pictures, also to change your perspective on things of the way your life is and in your own backyard to appreciate, count our blessings, and to be grateful for everything you have in life where others are less fortunate and do not have much. For example, in Cuba.

I have traveled to Cuba 13 times in my lifetime. I have traveled almost all over the island and have seen cities, and towns along the way. I have spent time with the locals, and met families, and have seen the way people live their day to day lives with the bare minimum. Some people make about $12.00 – $30.00 a month. Maximum 35 if they are lucky. Most people work in the resorts and touristic parts, some who are teachers, doctors, room makers, cleaners, bartenders and more.

A lot of people nowadays are so picky about what they want to eat, some people have a fridge full of food, pantries full, stomachs full, and they still are trying to figure out what to make. I admit, I am one of them, but It is really an eye-opener when you see the world. Not only in pictures, but when you see it with your own eyes. That is a whole new ball game. Well, some people in this world unfortunately do not have that option. Cuban people get a certain amount of food per month or every 2 weeks and that they need to space out how much food to eat during the day, some have to struggle to make their own food.

As I was going through towns from Cayo Santa Maria, back to Santa Clara where the airport is to come back home, I saw some of the most saddest things I had ever seen, there are run down buildings that look like they will collapse any minute, people walking around the streets with heavy bags, people cutting grass with machetes or some sort of cutter, some people going somewhere with horses, busted up cars, and it just made me tear up and think to myself, how can people live like this day in and day out? I teared up and so did the person who was sitting next to me and I overheard 2 ladies behind me saying that, we shouldn’t complain anymore and be choosy about everything we have. This really opened up my eyes one of the ladies said, and the friend of hers or whoever it was said, yes that’s true, you are right.

I have been through towns and cities in Cuba, and some of the conditions of the homes the Cuban people live are terribly sad. It breaks my heart. They don’t have proper windows, the roofs of some of the houses are coming apart, a lot of the houses are the size of a 14 to 17 foot place and some of the houses are even smaller than that. Can you imagine a family of 5 living there? Well, I met this family of 5 and they live in such a small house and they have to go outside of the home to use the toilet and to shower they have buckets inside the house and there is running water outside, so they have to go out to get running water then come back to wash up inside where there is just a drain.

In Cienfuegos, Cuba when I went. I had met an entertainer and then he invited my family and I over to his house, so the next day we took the taxi over to his place. We met his family and I remember how hospitable they were with us and so friendly. So, we took them a few items we do not need anymore and they were so happy. So the mother of the entertainer made us a whole table full of food, and started preparing the day before when the entertainer told them we are coming over. The dinner we had was so delicious and it was probably their months worth of food for us for that night. It was done without our knowledge or else we would have refused and if we did, they would get offended, so we ended up eating all of it as we were hungry. They then served us coffee and then we went back to the hotel.

They were so incredibly friendly and we got to see how they lived the whole day. They struggle so much with the deplorable conditions they live in. Some places though are really nice. It depends on the monthly salary as well. Again, I came to my resort and I just thank my lucky stars. I showed a few Cubans my pictures from my Camera, and they have never even seen an airplane in their lives, they have never even seen a camera, let alone the type of clothing I was wearing. It absolutely broke my heart to pieces.

I will continue to visit Cuba. I really like the people there and they are so friendly, witty and energetic, but for some people you can see the sadness and depression in their faces and you can tell some of them don’t have much, and some show they are happy, but they are not. The desperation can be seen. They love it when you give them shoes, clothing and anything else. For these people I will donate and give them the shirt off my back. Put yourself in their shoes and see what its like, but some people don’t realize.

I see them working so hard at the resorts, non-stop and they have to travel long ways to make a Buck which is a Peso there. There are people who come to these resorts who travel there, and I see how rude the guests can be to them and waste so much food on their plates, demand things from them. I mean at the end of the day, they are human beings just like us and deserve to be treated with respect and to have patience. Those Cubans see it and they said, I wish I had this much food at my home and I can see the frustration and sadness in their eyes. I am very observant when I travel. Some of these tourists don’t realize that, however I do and I am compassionate and patient with them. I put myself in their shoes and I go from there.

Moral of the story is that you should always be thankful for what you have. You never know what someone else is going through and people in this world do not have anything, so we must stop begging for more, being desperate for buying the next newest and latest smartphones, or super expensive things that really suit no purpose in life. Some people are so spoiled to the fullest extent. It is unbelievable. We should always count our lucky stars because people in this world aren’t so lucky.

Have you been to Cuba or anywhere else and have seen the way people live?

Do you travel to other destinations to see other peoples reality and what it is like?

Would love to hear from you.

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In recent news, where the unfortunate happened at an Oregon College in US, where gunman Chris Harper took the lives of 9 people, shooting and killing them when after the suspect was also killed. So many senseless and inhumane acts of violence, and gun violence. When is it going to stop? Does the unimaginable have to happen, so that we can see change, take preventative safety and security measures? So many shootings and killings have happened in the last little while.

Columbine, Sandy Hook, African American Church in Charleston S.C, Aurora Colo Movie theatre, TV news Reporter Alison Parker and her partner Adam ward and Alison who was interviewing Vicki Gardner in August, 2015 who survived at Lake Moneta, Malls, Shopping Plaza’s, on the streets, and anywhere else. You are really not safe anywhere in this world anymore.

Not only in US, but around the world. I can’t even imagine how someone can have the thrill of shooting and killing innocent lives or anyone for that matter. It needs to stop. I know it is easy to say that, but to act on it is a different story. I know the solution. Stop with the wars in the world, initiating violence, stopping on influencing killings of anybody at any age, Absolutely 0 Tolerance on bullying physically and emotionally, putting more supervision in schools, workplaces and other places, taking guns off our streets, educate people that violence, barbaric acts and gun violence is not a joke, nor a thrill. It is a dangerous act that can lead to permanent damage and even worse, can kill someone.

People who lead our world, Presidents, Prime Ministers, and those who govern our world, need to really think about what they are doing, the pressures they put on people, initiating wars, sending innocent troops who have loved ones they leave for years and many months, sending war weapons and vehicles, not taking care of their own countries and people to live and let live. They need to be positive influencers in our lives and they need to make great and positive changes, we need leaders to govern our world who will do it because they want to, and they need to be personable, loving, kind, respectful and do great things for our people and in our world, to make it a better place for all of us. That is a leader. Not someone who is greedy and who promotes violence.

Violent video games of guns and violence also influence as well. Some people who play them may think, hey, if they can shoot and kill people in a video game, they say we can try it in reality and see what happens.

Also, some people get bullied so much physically and emotionally that one day they may reach out to guns and officially snap and kill people uncontrollably at the environment that they were bullied and abused. It all starts with the way people are brought up and who influences them to think its okay to bully others, who promote violence, mental and domestic abuse, allowing them to treat others terribly.

So many people go through so many things in life and we must help them. Include people in our circle, respect each other, give a helping hand, an ear to listen, be kind to one another, love each other, smile, give kind gestures and be the change in the world. Many people want change, but it all starts with how our actions, words that need to be positive, to be great role models, to initiate goodness, not talking behind people’s backs, spreading rumors, to stop making fun of others for the way they look, to stop judging and gossiping about people and things we really know nothing about.

I am absolutely heartbroken and devastated for the victims families, friends, colleagues. Senseless deaths and loss of innocence is so terrible. So many lives that could make a difference in our world, who had so much more life to live, who those people were important and loved by others, families and friend circles that will never be the same again, the grief, mourning and the loss is just completely unbearable. My thoughts and prayers go out to everyone who has lost loved ones due to another person’s disgusting and barbaric acts.

It needs to stop and it needs to stop now.

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When people who do not know the definition of appreciating you (me), or even think about you (me ) and only approach you (me ) only if they need something done, or anything from you (me), do not worry, what goes around comes around. Let nature take its course.

I always say this, people who are far away are always sweeter than the ones who are near and the ones who are near always get used, get volunteered into things, and expect so much more from, thinking you have time and can do things quickly. Unfortunately that is how it is. People do not realize I have feelings too, and I have so much going on for me too.

I am not complaining about doing things for others, and going out of my way to do so, but there is only so much you can do and then not be appreciated for it is absolutely hurtful.

This past week and for a while now, I have been so hurt beyond repair, my heart is aching so badly, to the point where I think about what happened when I go to bed, when I am sleeping, when I wake up, when I am going about my day, when I babysit, during when I am working, and even during my happy moments where I try to take it out of my mind. It is still there. I cried for many days and I have been so upset, disappointed on how people can be this way to others, especially if they are your own flesh in blood or whoever they are. It absolutely hurts like crazy. I really do not want to discuss what happened, but it hurts emotionally and mentally. It killed any spirit that I have left.

Its not so much about being chosen to be part of something precious and beautiful, it is the principle behind it and something to show gratitude, but unfortunately some people are not gifted with being thoughtful, and being appreciative toward others.

Well, I am not doing it anymore. Not going to allow others take advantage of me and take me for a fool. I really do not have time and energy for it anymore. Time to look after myself and go after what makes me happy, be with those who appreciate, love me for who I am, what I am passionate about and what I love to do with my own time. I have put my foot down. I am so tired of crying and being so hurt. Enough is enough.

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Since April, 2007, Twitter launched its social media website to the world. Twitter’s headquarters is located in San Francisco, California, where then eventually many offices were open in the United States, as well as the world. Millions of people have now created accounts since its launch. Twitter is a social media website where people share instantly without barriers of create ideas, advertising ones own business, as well as promoting events, causes, raising awareness on issues of the world, trending the news, popular words, phrases, currents events and more with 140 Characters or less.

In August of 2007, Chris Messina had incorporated the Hashtag“#” sign which is the number sign, which makes it easier and what will attract the world with certain keywords used to promote, advertise and make something popular with the hopes that it will begin to trend. For example, when you create hashtags such as #People #SocialMedia #Life #Love #Travel – and then if another person decides to write the same Hashtags, it will come up on the same page, and it will be like a chat room where people can communicate with each other, as well as if something is found to be interesting, they will add someones tweet to their favourites and re-tweet it on their page.

You will then receive notifications, that what you post on where it is and who has posted it on their pages. When people find something or someone interesting, they may or may not start following them and adding them on their list.
I know you are probably thinking, what can I write and share in 140 Characters or less? Well, there is a lot you can do in that limit. There is always something somebody is searching for and Twitter has made it easier to share it with the world. You can post photos, links, personal websites, and so much more which of course with obeying Twitters terms of service. Twitter also has a short link generator, which you can find the twitter short link generator and save space in the status message you are about to share. You can find it on a search engine site of your choice.

Peter CherninFounder and Chairman,Chernin Entertainment and The Chernin Group

Peter Currie President, Currie Capital

Peter Fenton General Partner, Benchmark Capital

David Rosenblatt CEO, 1stdibs.com, Inc.

Marjorie ScardinoChairman, MacArthur Foundation

Evan Williams CEO, Medium; CEO, Obvious Corp.

There are quite a few people that have told me, what is twitter? How can I understand it? why did it become so popular? Well, it is a social media website that has blossomed like wild flowers in the world. Like I said in my previous articles, people will search for anything, and when it comes on the news about a new website, and they begin to advertise so much on Media outlets, it will be a huge hit and sensation in the world. Twitter still is after 8 years.

I am so happy with Twitter. I feel that it has gotten so much easier to raise awareness about certain topics and issues of the world, and to address important subjects to our society. Thank you Twitter for giving us all an opportunity to get out there, to achieve, and to do what our hearts desire to the world. If you do not have an account with twitter, make one, it will make it so much easier to share blogs, ideas and so much more that you want to contribute to the world.

I wish Twitter and its staff all the best and many more years of trending, re-tweeting, tweeting, sharing and more. Thanks twitter.

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In the life and times of the society we are in, We keep hearing about Social Media and the many websites and how technology has changed so much with communication and how the internet is the biggest information/communication hub of the world now and I know in the last few posts, I have written about it, however this is such a thing as Social Media Information Overload, however that should never deter you from putting yourself, your ideas, suggestions, experiences, stories and more out there. There are many people in this world who want to look for different types of information in different context and there is always some type of information out there for everyone.

I know Social media is a huge topic and starting out and beginning your journey is something that can be frustrating and so intimidating, that you just want to give up quickly and not give it a chance. When I began blogging, writing and putting myself out there in the public eye, I never thought that I would get this far. I read many blogs, and tutorials on social media and how to get myself out there and I began following those instructions, then gradually I began getting so much feedback and so much more out of it. At first, I thought this is such a waste of time, and I won’t get anywhere, but then I gave it a chance, and everything fell into place. You just need to give it the green light.

I know some people are probably thinking, how of hundreds and thousands of blogs, twitter posts and all the writings, articles of the world, how someone can get to my site, and see my posts and things that I put out there to see? Well, it is very easy with over 3 Billion people who use the internet, it is very easy for so many people out of those billions of people who want to search for something that interests them and they will go through many sites to find it and they will get onto your site. It is pretty neat to be shown on Search Engine sites, and with searching for a topic or something is easy. People will sift through many search engine pages and when they see a blog or something that interests them, they will click on your site and see the content they want, then they might share it amongst their family and friends, and then will share it on their social media sites.

Some tips to take note of and a word of advice when beginning your social media journey:

– Be Patient– Engage, Discover, Deliver– Read Social Media Tutorials– Get on Social Media Marketing websites and receive e-mails on articles– Keep writing, Posting material– Give yourself and your social media journey a chance– Get on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook– When you are on twitter hashtags like this #hashtags #blogs #socialmedia is important to spread out with whatever topics you want to share in 140 Characters or less. – Never take take take – Give as well.

When you are in social media, do not make it a competition of “Oh I am better than everyone else” approach “My material is the best” attitude. People automatically feel the way things are written online, and if people feel that someone is complimenting themselves so much and becoming a center of attention, it becomes less interesting to engage into that persons website. Never make someone feel that their material and what they write is something that is not good or don’t make people feel that what they have to say isn’t important. We are all important, and what we all have to say is something that is good to read. Never slander and insult somebody because of it. We all have something incredible and wonderful to contribute to in the world.

All in all, Social Media is a great thing to be in. It is a communication of information that can be beneficial for everyone. So take the chance and see where it takes you. Have fun and best wishes!